Question

Calculate the number of optical isomers in the following compound.
$\begin{array}{ccccc}& & C{H}_3& & \\ & & |& & \\ H& -& C& -& OH\\ & & |& & \\ & & COOH& & \end{array}$

• A. $1$
• B. $2$
• C. $3$
• D. None of these

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

$2$

The number of optical isomers in a compound with n chiral C atoms is $2^n$.
The number of optical isomers in the compound $\begin{array}{ccccc}& & C{H}_3& & \\ & & |& & \\ H& -& C& -& OH\\ & & |& & \\ & & COOH& & \end{array}$ with 1 chiral C atom is $2^1=2$.